BRIDGE OVER THE RIVER ZAHA 09/17/08

Words  ::  Expo Zaragoza // Images  ::  Fernando Guerra, Luke Hayes

Built over the Ebro River, the Bridge Pavilion is the work of Zaha Hadid Architects and Ove Arup Engineering. This construction, is one of the main entrances to Expo Zaragoza 2008.The Bridge Pavilion’s design is slightly curved and it links the Station Boulevard to the Conference Centre area of the Expo 2008 site, crossing over a small island in the river. With a surface area of 7,000 m2 and a length of 260 m, this pedestrian viaduct has a shape similar to that of a gladiolus which opens and closes. Its organic, braided form opens and closes like most natural elements. Its height varies from 15 - 30 metres with the width at 8 - 30 metres. Its greatest span (distance between supports) is 185 metres long. The cross section of the bridge takes the shape of a diamond and is made up of four pods that are structural elements also housing exhibitions.
The frame of the Bridge Pavilion is  steel. Its cladding inspired by shark scales and laid out in a pattern of superimposed panels creating a natural micro-climate in the interior. This cooling system finds air exchanged through the building’s porous skin. The cladding of the building plays a vital role in defining the relationship of the bridge with the surrounding area and atmospheric variability.

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